Surgical stapler handle assembly having actuation mechanism with longitudinally rotatable shaft

ABSTRACT

A handle assembly for a surgical stapler can comprise a rotatable actuation shaft. The actuation shaft can have a first rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a repeatable open and close mode, a second rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a staple firing mode, and a third rotational orientation in which it can actuate a jaw assembly in a reversing mode. The handle assembly can include a rotational mechanism arranged to discretely position the rotatable actuation shaft in one of the rotational orientations. The rotational mechanism can be arranged for single handed operation such as by including a slidable switch or selector to rotate the actuation shaft.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/213,493 entitled “SURGICAL STAPLER HANDLE ASSEMBLY HAVING ACTUATIONMECHANISM WITH LONGITUDINALLY ROTATABLE SHAFT” filed on Mar. 14, 2014,currently pending, which claims priority to and benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/794,700, entitled “SURGICALSTAPLER HAVING ACTUATION MECHANISM WITH ROTATABLE SHAFT,” filed on Mar.15, 2013. The entireties of these prior applications are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present application relates generally to surgical occlusioninstruments and, more particularly, to surgical staplers.

Description of the Related Art

Surgical staplers are used to approximate or clamp tissue and to staplethe clamped tissue together. As such, surgical staplers have mechanismsto ensure that tissue is properly positioned and captured and to drivestaples through the tissue. As a result, this has produced, for example,multiple triggers and handles in conjunction with complex mechanisms toprovide proper stapling of the clamped tissue. With these complexmechanisms, surgical staplers can have increased manufacturing burdens,as well as potential sources for device failure and confusion for theuser. Thus, reliable stapling of clamped tissue without complexmechanisms is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In certain embodiments, a surgical stapler is provided herein. Thesurgical stapler comprises an elongate shaft, a jaw assembly, and ahandle assembly. The elongate shaft has a proximal end and a distal end.The elongate shaft defines a longitudinal axis between the proximal endand the distal end. The jaw assembly is positioned at the distal end ofthe elongate shaft. The jaw assembly comprises a first jaw, a secondjaw, and a plurality of staples. The jaw assembly is selectivelypositionable in one of a closed configuration, an open configuration,and a firing configuration. The handle assembly is positioned at theproximal end of the elongate shaft. The handle assembly comprises astationary handle, a movable trigger pivotably coupled to the stationaryhandle, and an actuation shaft. The actuation shaft is longitudinallyslidable within the handle assembly with respect to the longitudinalaxis of the actuation shaft and rotatable within the handle assemblywith respect to the longitudinal axis. The actuation shaft is operablycoupled to the jaw assembly and the actuation shaft is longitudinallyslidable in a first direction from a first position corresponding to theopen configuration of the jaw assembly to a second positioncorresponding to the closed configuration of the jaw assembly and fromthe second position to a third position corresponding to the firingconfiguration. The actuation shaft is operably coupled to the movabletrigger. The actuation shaft is rotatable between a first orientation inwhich movement of the trigger moves the actuation shaft between thesecond position and the third position and a second orientation in whichmovement of the trigger moves the actuation shaft from the thirdposition to the first position.

In certain embodiments, a handle assembly for a surgical stapler isprovided. The surgical stapler comprises an elongate shaft having aproximal end and a distal end, the elongate shaft defining alongitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end, and a jawassembly disposed at the distal end of the elongate shaft. The handleassembly comprises a housing, a stationary handle disposed on thehousing, a movable handle, an actuation mechanism, and a coupler. Themovable handle is pivotably coupled to the housing and pivotable betweenan open position spaced apart from the stationary handle and a closedposition adjacent the stationary handle. The actuation mechanismcomprises an advancing driver, a reversing driver, and an actuationshaft. The advancing driver is operably coupled to the movable handleand translatable distally with respect to the longitudinal axisresponsive to movement of the movable handle from the open position tothe closed position. The reversing driver is operably coupled to themovable handle and translatable proximally with respect to thelongitudinal axis responsive to movement of the movable handle from theopen position to the closed position. The actuation shaft extends alongthe longitudinal axis. The actuation shaft is rotatably coupled to thehousing with respect to the longitudinal axis. The actuation shaftcomprises an advancing surface and a reversing surface. The advancingsurface extends longitudinally along the actuation shaft. The reversingsurface extends longitudinally along the actuation shaft. The reversingsurface is angularly offset from the advancing surface. The actuationshaft is rotatable between a first orientation in which the advancingdriver engages the advancing surface and a second orientation in whichthe reversing driver engages the reversing surface. The coupler isadapted to engage the elongate shaft of the surgical stapler.

In certain embodiments, a handle assembly for a surgical stapler isprovided. The handle assembly comprises a housing, a trigger pivotablycoupled to the housing, and an actuation mechanism. The actuationmechanism comprises a forward driver, a reverse driver, an actuationshaft, and a selector. The forward driver is operably coupled to thetrigger. The reverse driver is operably coupled to the trigger. Theactuation shaft has a longitudinal axis. The actuation shaft isrotatably coupled to the housing relative to the longitudinal axis. Theactuation shaft comprises a forward interface surface and a reverseinterface surface angularly offset from the forward interface surface.The actuation shaft is rotatable between a first orientation in whichthe forward interface surface engages the forward driver to move theactuation shaft in a first direction responsive to pivotal movement ofthe trigger and a second orientation in which the reverse interfacesurface engages the reverse driver to move the actuation shaft in asecond direction opposite the first direction responsive to pivotalmovement of the trigger. The selector is operably coupled to theactuation shaft to selectively rotate the actuation shaft between thefirst orientation and the second orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of surgical staplingdevice with the jaws in an open configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a cartridge for thesurgical stapling device of FIG. 1 with the jaws in a closedconfiguration;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of handle assembly for asurgical stapling device;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3 with amovable handle in a closed configuration;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3 with a selector ina first configuration;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3 with a selector ina second configuration;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional side view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3in an initial configuration;

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the handle assembly ofFIG. 8A;

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional side view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3actuated to a closed configuration;

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the handle assembly ofFIG. 9A;

FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional side view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3in a forward drive configuration;

FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the handle assembly ofFIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is a cross-sectional side view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3in the forward drive configuration;

FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the handle assembly ofFIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional side view of handle assembly of FIG. 3 ina fully driven forward configuration;

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the handle assembly ofFIG. 12A;

FIG. 13A is a cross-sectional side view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3in a reverse drive configuration;

FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the handle assembly ofFIG. 13A;

FIG. 14A is a cross-sectional side view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3in a fully driven reverse configuration;

FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional perspective view of the handle assembly ofFIG. 14A;

FIG. 15 is a side view of another embodiment of handle assembly for asurgical stapling device;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the handle assembly of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cutaway side view of the handle assembly of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top view of a rotation mechanism for an actuation mechanismof the handle assembly of FIG. 15;

FIG. 19 is a top view of a hub collar and actuation shaft of therotation mechanism of FIG. 18 with the hub collar in a first position;

FIG. 20 is a top view of the hub collar and actuation shaft of therotation mechanism of FIG. 18 with a hub collar in a second position;

FIG. 21 is a top view of the hub collar and actuation shaft of therotation mechanism of FIG. 18 with a hub collar in a third position;

FIG. 22 is a top view of the hub collar and actuation shaft of therotation mechanism of FIG. 18 with a hub collar in a fourth position;

FIG. 23 is a top view of the hub collar and actuation shaft of therotation mechanism of FIG. 18 with a hub collar in a fifth position;

FIG. 24 is a top view of the hub collar and actuation shaft of therotation mechanism of FIG. 18 with a hub collar in a sixth position; and

FIG. 25 is a top view of the hub collar and actuation shaft of therotation mechanism of FIG. 18 with a hub collar in a seventh position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, an embodiment of surgical stapling deviceis illustrated. The illustrated embodiment of surgical stapler 10comprises an elongate shaft 20, a jaw assembly 30, and a handle assembly40. FIG. 1 illustrates the surgical stapler 10 with the jaw assembly 30in an open configuration. FIG. 2 illustrates a removable cartridgecomprising the elongate shaft 20 and jaw assembly 30 of the surgicalstapler 10 with the jaw assembly 30 in a closed configuration.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the illustrated embodiment ofsurgical stapler 10 can be sized and configured for use in laparoscopicsurgical procedures. For example, the elongate shaft 20 and jaw assembly30 can be sized and configured to be introduced into a surgical fieldthrough an access port or trocar cannula. In some embodiments, theelongate shaft 20 and jaw assembly 30 can be sized and configured to beinserted through a trocar cannula having a relatively small workingchannel diameter, such as, for example, less than 8 mm. In otherembodiments, elongate shaft 20 and jaw assembly 30 can be sized andconfigured to be inserted through a trocar cannula having a largerworking channel diameter, such as, for example, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, or15 mm. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that certain aspects ofthe surgical staplers described herein can be incorporated into asurgical stapling device for use in open surgical procedures.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, as illustrated, the elongateshaft 20 comprises a generally tubular member. The elongate shaft 20extends from a proximal end 22 to a distal end 24. Elongate shaft 20defines a central longitudinal axis, L. of the surgical stapler 10extending between the proximal end 22 and the distal end 24.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the illustratedembodiment, the jaw assembly 30 is coupled to the elongate shaft 20 atthe distal end 24 of the elongate shaft 20. The jaw assembly 30comprises a first jaw 32 and a second jaw 34 pivotally coupled to thefirst jaw 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the first jaw 32 is fixedto the distal end 24 of elongate shaft 20 such that it extends distallyalong the central longitudinal axis, L and remains stationary withrespect to the elongate shaft 20. In other embodiments, it iscontemplated that the jaw assembly 30 is articulable with respect to theelongate shaft 20. In an initial configuration, the first jaw 32includes a plurality of staples 36 disposed therein.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the illustratedembodiment, the jaw assembly 30 can be actuated from an openconfiguration (FIG. 1) to a closed configuration (FIG. 2) to a staplingconfiguration by an actuation member or beam that is longitudinallyslidable within the elongate shaft. In an initial position, the beam canbe positioned at the distal end 24 of the elongate shaft 20. With thebeam in the initial position, the second jaw 34 is pivoted away from thefirst jaw 32 such that the jaw assembly 30 is in the open configuration.The actuation beam engages the second jaw 34 upon translation of theactuation member or beam distally along the longitudinal axis L.Translation of the actuation beam distally from the initial position afirst distance can actuate the jaw assembly from the open configurationto the closed configuration. With the jaw assembly 30 in the closedconfiguration, the actuation beam can be returned proximally the firstdistance to return the jaw assembly 30 to the open configuration. Adistal end of the actuation beam can advance a staple slider configuredto deploy staples from the first jaw 32 such that further translation ofthe actuation beam distally past the first distance deploys theplurality of staples 36 from the first jaw 32.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the illustratedembodiment, the handle assembly is coupled to the elongate shaft 20 atthe proximal end 22 of the elongate shaft 20. As illustrated, the handleassembly 40 has a pistol grip configuration with a housing defining astationary handle 42 and a movable handle 44 or trigger pivotablycoupled to the stationary handle 42. It is contemplated that in otherembodiments, surgical stapler devices including aspects described hereincan have handle assemblies with other configuration such as, forexample, scissors-grip configurations, or in-line configurations. Asfurther described in greater detail below, the handle assembly 40 housesan actuation mechanism configured to selectively advance an actuationshaft responsive to movement of the movable handle 44.

In some embodiments, the surgical stapler 10 can include the pluralityof staples 36 positioned in a disposable cartridge while the handleassembly 40 is configured to be reused with multiple staple cartridges.In the illustrated embodiment, the elongate shaft 20 and jaw assembly 30define a disposable cartridge that is removably couplable to the handleassembly 40. Accordingly, in the illustrated embodiment the handleassembly 40 includes a coupler 46 at the distal end thereof. The coupler46 is adapted to engage the elongate shaft 20 of the surgical stapler 10The coupler 46 can have a bayonet connection having an outer connectorthat can removably couple the handle assembly 40 to the elongate shaft20, and an inner connector that can removably couple the actuation shaftof the handle assembly 42 to the actuation member of the elongate shaft20. Accordingly, the surgical stapler 10 can be configured such that thehandle assembly 40 can be reused with multiple disposable cartridgesduring a surgical procedure. It is contemplated that in otherembodiments, the handle assembly and some portion of the elongate shaftcan be reusable while a remainder of the elongate shaft and the jawassembly define a disposable cartridge. In certain other embodiments,the handle assembly and the elongate shaft can be reusable while the jawassembly defines a disposable cartridge. In still other embodiments, ajaw insert housing a plurality of staples can define a disposablecartridge while the remainder of the surgical stapler is reasonable.

FIGS. 3-7 illustrate various views of an embodiment of handle assembly40 for a surgical stapler 10. In FIG. 3, a perspective view of thehandle assembly 40 as illustrated with the movable handle 44 in an openposition spaced apart from the stationary handle 42. The illustratedhandle assembly 40 further comprises a selector 72 operably coupled tothe actuation mechanism housed within the handle assembly 40 as furtherdiscussed herein. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the selector 72 is in afirst position.

With reference to FIG. 4, another perspective view of the handleassembly 40 of FIG. 3 is illustrated. As illustrated, the movable handle44 is in a closed position positioned adjacent the stationary handle 42,and the selector 72 is in a second position. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate atop view of the handle assembly of FIG. 3 with the selector 72, such asa slider 74, in the first position (FIG. 5), and in the second position(FIG. 6). FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the handle assembly 40 ofFIG. 3.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate cross-sectional views of the handle assembly40 in an initial configuration, revealing operation of the actuationmechanism 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the actuation mechanism 50is configured to selectively translate the actuation shaft 60 from afirst position corresponding to the jaw assembly 30 being in the openconfiguration to a second position corresponding to the jaw assembly 30being in the closed configuration and from the second position to athird position to position the jaw assembly 30 in a staplingconfiguration and deploy the plurality of staples 36. In the initialconfiguration illustrated in FIGS. 8A and 8B, actuation mechanism 50 canrepeatedly translate the actuation shaft 60 between the first positionand the second position responsive to movement of the movable handle 44or trigger without deploying the staples to provide an open and closefunctionality. This open and close functionality allows a user toposition, clamp tissue, and reposition the stapler 10 to find adesirable staple placement location before deploying the staples.

With reference to FIGS. 8-14, in the illustrated embodiment, theactuation mechanism comprises an advancing or forward driver 52, areverse driver 54, an opening driver 58, an advancing surface 62, areversing surface 64, and an opening surface 66. The forward driver 52can be operably coupled to the movable handle 44 such that movement ofthe movable handle 44 from the open position to the closed positionadvances the forward driver 52 in a first direction such as for exampledistally within the handle assembly 40. The forward driver 52 cancomprise a pawl or tooth configured to engage a recess or slot.

The reverse driver 54 can be operably coupled to movable handle 44 suchthat movement of the movable handle 44 from the open position to theclosed position advances the reverse driver 54 in a second directionopposite the first direction such as, for example proximally within thehandle assembly 40. In some embodiments, the movable handle 44 can beoperably coupled with the reverse driver 54 with a geared connectionincluding an idler gear 56. The reverse driver 54 can comprise a pawl ortooth configured to engage a recess or slot.

The opening driver 58 can be operably coupled to the movable handle 44such that movement of the movable handle 44 from the open position tothe closed position advances the opening driver 58 in a first directionsuch as for example distally within the handle assembly 40. In theillustrated embodiment, the opening driver 58 is coupled to the idler 56with a pin and slot connection to operably couple the opening driver 58to the movable handle 44. The opening driver 58 can comprise a pawl ortooth configured to engage a recess or slot.

The actuation shaft 60 includes advancing surface 62, reversing surface64, and opening surface 66 formed thereon. In the illustratedembodiment, the advancing surface 62 comprises a rack, or plurality ofspaced recesses or teeth formed longitudinally along the actuation shaft60. As illustrated, reversing surface 64 comprises a rack or pluralityof space recesses or teeth formed longitudinally along the actuationshaft 60 and angularly offset from the advancing surface 62. In theillustrated embodiment, the opening surface 66 comprises a recess formedin the actuation shaft 60.

In certain embodiments, the actuation shaft 60 is rotatable within thehandle assembly 40 about the longitudinal axis of the stapler 10. Thehandle assembly 40 can comprise a rotation mechanism 70 to provideselective rotation of the actuation shaft 60 within the handle assembly40. The actuation shaft 60 can be rotatable between a first orientationin which the forward driver 52 is engageable with the advancing surface62 and a second orientation in which the reverse driver 54 is engageablewith the reversing surface 64. With the angular offset of the advancingsurface 52 from the reversing surface 54 with respect to the actuationshaft 60, with the actuation shaft in the first orientation, the reversedriver 54 is disengaged from the reversing surface 64, and with theactuation shaft in the second orientation, the forward driver 52 isdisengaged from the advancing surface 62.

With continued reference to FIGS. 8-14, in certain embodiments, therotation mechanism 70 comprises a selector 72, such as a slider. Theslider can extend transversely through the housing of the handleassembly 40. The slider can be operably coupled to the actuation shaft60 such that positioning the slider in the first position extending fromone side of the handle assembly 40 positions the actuation shaft 60 inthe first orientation, and positioning the slider in the second positionextending from an opposite side of the handle assembly 40 rotates theactuation shaft 60 to the second orientation. In the illustratedembodiment, the slider is coupled to a rack 76 in meshing engagementwith a gear 78 that is rotatably fixed to the actuation shaft 60 andlongitudinally slidable along the actuation shaft 60 (such as, forexample, with a keyed connection). Desirably, the illustrated rotationmechanism 70 including a slider discretely positions the actuation shaft60 in a desired orientation, reducing the incidence of the mismeshedgearing within the actuation mechanism 50. In some embodiments theslider can include visual indicators, such as arrows, to indicate theorientation of the actuation shaft 60, and thus, the actuation mode ofthe stapler to a user.

In the illustrated embodiment, the advancing surface 62 and the reversesurface 64 are angularly offset by approximately 90 degrees about theactuation shaft. Thus, the rotation mechanism 70 is configured to rotatethe actuation shaft approximately 90 degrees between the firstorientation and the second orientation. In other embodiments, theactuation surface 62 and the reverse surface 64 can have a differentangular offset, such as, for example 120 degrees, and the rotationmechanism 70 can be configured to rotate the actuation shaft 60correspondingly. Moreover, as described in further detail herein withrespect to an open/close mode of the handle assembly 40 operation, inthe illustrated embodiment, the opening driver 58 engages with theactuation shaft in the second orientation, in other embodiments, theactuation shaft can be rotatable to a third orientation in which theopening driver 58 engages with the actuation shaft.

With reference to FIGS. 8-14, a typical operation sequence of theactuation mechanism 50 of the handle assembly 40 is illustrated. FIGS.8A-8B and 9A-9B illustrate operation of the handle assembly 40 in aninitial configuration providing an open/close functionality to the jawassembly 30. In FIG. 8A, the movable trigger 44 is at an open position,and the actuation shaft 60 is at a first position, corresponding to thefirst position of the actuation beam at the distal end of the elongateshaft 20. In the initial position, the actuation shaft 60 is positionedat the second orientation such that the reverse driver 54 is angularlyaligned with the reversing surface 64. With actuation shaft 60 in thesecond orientation, the opening driver 58 is positioned within theopening surface 66 or recess. Movement of the movable handle 44 from theopen position (FIG. 8A-8B) to the closed position (FIG. 9A-9B), advancesthe forward driver 52 distally along the actuation shaft 60 to engage anadvancing recess 63 formed in the actuation shaft 60 and drive theactuation shaft 60 distally in the handle assembly 40 to a secondposition. The second position of the actuation shaft 60 within thehandle assembly 40 corresponds to the second position of the actuationbeam, which positions the jaw assembly 30 in a closed configuration.

The movable handle 44 can be biased to the open position by a biasingmember, such as a coil spring 68 (FIG. 11A). Thus, releasing the movablehandle 44 from the closed position illustrated in FIG. 9A-9B wouldreturn it to the open position of FIGS. 8A-8B. Operable coupling of themovable handle 44 to the opening driver 58 would likewise translate theopening driver 58 proximally within the handle assembly 40 as themovable handle 44 returns to the open position. In the secondorientation of the actuation shaft 60, the opening driver 58 engagesopening surface 66 such that the proximal movement of the opening driver58 returns the actuation shaft 60 from the second position to the firstposition, returning the jaw assembly 30 to the open configuration.

A user can seek a desired stapling position within a surgical field byrepeatedly opening and closing the jaws to clamp tissue in variouslocations. Once a desired stapling position has been selected, theactuation mechanism 50 can be configured in a stapling or firing mode byrotating the actuation shaft 60 to the first orientation. With the jawassembly a closed configuration at a desired stapling position (asillustrated in FIGS. 9A-9B), a user can reposition the selector 72 bysliding the slider to the first position, corresponding to the firstorientation of the actuation shaft 60 (as illustrated in FIGS. 10A-10B).In the first orientation of the actuation shaft 60, the forward driver52 is engageable with the advancing surface 62, the reversing driver 54is angularly misaligned with the reversing surface 64, and the openingdriver 58 angularly misaligned with the opening surface 66. With theactuation shaft 60 in the first orientation, the movable handle 44 canbe released into the open position (FIG. 11A-11B), engaging the forwarddriver 52 with the advancing surface 62.

With reference to FIGS. 11A-11B and 12A-12B, with the actuation shaft 60in the first orientation, and the forward driver 52 engaging theadvancing surface 62, the actuation mechanism 50 is in a stapling orfiring mode. Several cycles of movable handle 44 movement from the openposition to the closed position and back to the open position advancethe actuation shaft 60 from the second position (FIGS. 11A-11B), to athird position in which the actuation shaft 60 is moved to itsdistal-most limit with respect to the handle assembly 40 (FIGS.12A-12B). In some embodiments, the actuation mechanism can include astop to interfere with distal travel of the actuation shaft 60 at thethird position. The second position of the actuation shaft correspondsto the second position of the actuation beam in the jaw assembly 30. Thethird position of the actuation shaft corresponds to the third positionof the actuation beam in the jaw assembly 30 in which the plurality ofstaples have been deployed from the first jaw. With movement of themovable handle 44 or trigger in the firing mode to advance the actuationshaft from the second position to the third position, the forward driver52 is sequentially advanced over the adjacent teeth or grooves of theactuating surface 62 in a ratchet-like advancement.

With reference to FIGS. 13A-13B, once the actuation shaft 60 has beenadvanced to the third position and the staples have been fired from thejaw assembly, the actuation mechanism 50 can be configured in a reversemode. Accordingly, the rotation mechanism 70 can rotate the actuationshaft 60 to the second orientation to position the reversing surface 64in angular alignment with the reverse driver 54. The slider can be slidto the second position to rotate the actuation shaft from the firstorientation (FIGS. 12A-12B) to the second orientation (FIGS. 13A-13B).With the actuation shaft 60 in the second orientation, repeated cyclesof the movable handle 44 from the open position to the closed positionand back to the open position engage the reverse driver 54 with thereversing surface 64 in a ratchet-like advancement while retracting theactuation shaft 60 proximally in the handle assembly 40. Once thereverse driver 54 has driven the actuation shaft 60 proximally to thesecond position (illustrated in FIGS. 14A-14B), the opening driver 58engages the opening surface 66. The opening driver 58 returns theactuation shaft 60 to the first position when the movable handle 44 isreleased to the open position. (Returning the handle assembly to theconfiguration illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B). With the actuation shaft 60in the first position, the cartridge, emptied of staples, can bedecoupled from the handle assembly 40 and a new cartridge can be coupledto the handle assembly to begin another stapling operation.

With reference to FIGS. 15-25, another embodiment of handle assembly 40′for use with a surgical stapler 10′ is illustrated. FIG. 15 illustratesa side view of the handle assembly 40′, and FIG. 16 illustrates aperspective view of the handle assembly 40′. In the handle assembly 40′,actuation of the rotation mechanism 70′ is accomplished with a slidableswitch 80 that is longitudinally slidable with respect to the handleassembly 40′ housing. Advantageously, such a slidable switch arrangementcan allow a user to easily rotate the actuation shaft 60 in asingle-handed operation.

With reference to FIG. 17, a cross-sectional view of the handle assembly40′ is illustrated revealing the actuation mechanism 50′ and therotation mechanism 70′. The actuation mechanism functions substantiallyas described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 8A, 8B-14A,14B to advance the actuation shaft 60′ from a first position to a secondposition in an open/close mode, from the second position to a thirdposition in a stapling mode, and from the third position to the firstposition in a reverse mode. The actuation mechanism 50′ includescorresponding forward, reverse, and opening drivers 52, 54, 58 operablycoupled to a movable handle 44 and advancing 62, reversing, and openingsurfaces on the actuation shaft 60′ substantially as described withrespect to the embodiment of FIGS. 8A,8B-14A-14B. However, in theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 15-25, the actuation shaft 60′ isrotatable by the rotation mechanism 70′ discretely between a firstorientation corresponding to the open/close mode of the handle assemblywherein the opening driver 58 engages the opening surface 66, a secondorientation corresponding to the stapling position, wherein the forwarddriver 52 engages the advancing surface 62, and a third orientationcorresponding to the reverse position wherein the reverse driver 54engages the reversing surface.

With reference to FIGS. 17-18, certain aspects of the rotation mechanism70′ are illustrated. The rotation mechanism 70′ comprises the slidableswitch 80 longitudinally slidable with respect to the housing of thehandle assembly 40′, a hub collar 82 longitudinally slidable by theswitch 80, and a biasing member or spring 98. In the illustratedembodiment, the slidable switch 80 is connected to the hub collar 82with a thin beam, such as a shim member. The hub collar 82 isrotationally fixed and longitudinally slidable with respect to thehousing of the handle assembly 40′. In some embodiments, the hub collar82 can comprise first and second wings that can slide in correspondingfirst and second slots in the housing of the handle assembly to allowrelative longitudinal movement and restrict relative rotational movementtherebetween.

The hub collar 82 can be a generally tubular member disposed around theactuation shaft 60′. The hub collar 82 can extend between a first edge84 having a plurality of ramps 86 formed therein and a second edge 88having a plurality of recesses 90 formed therein. In the illustratedembodiment, the hub collar 82 comprises three ramps 86 formed in thefirst edge 84 with each ramp spaced approximately 120 degrees apart fromadjacent ramps 86. As illustrated, the hub collar 82 comprises threerecesses 90 formed in the second edge 88 with each recess 90 beingapproximately 120 degrees apart from adjacent recesses 86. In otherembodiments, the number and relative spacing of ramps 86 and recesses 90can vary to rotate the actuation shaft 50 between different orientationsfrom those of the illustrated embodiment.

In some embodiments, the rotation mechanism 70′ can include a spring 98to bias the slidable switch 80 and the hub collar 82 to a proximalposition with respect to the housing of the handle assembly 40′.

With continued reference to FIGS. 17-18, the actuation shaft 60′ canhave a first plurality of projections 92 projecting radially outwardlytherefrom adjacent the first edge 84 of the hub collar 82. In theillustrated embodiment, the actuation shaft has three projections 92each spaced approximately 120 degrees from the adjacent projections. Theactuation shaft 60′ can further comprise a second plurality ofprojections 94 extending radially outwardly from the actuation shaft 60′at a position adjacent the second edge 88 of the hub collar 82. In theillustrated embodiment, the actuation shaft 60′ has three projections 94each spaced approximately 120 degrees from the adjacent projections. Inother embodiments, the numbers and spacing of the projections 92, 94 canbe varied to achieve a rotation mechanism with different rotationalcharacteristics. In some embodiments, the projections 92, 94 can beformed on the actuation shaft 60′, while in other embodiments, theprojections 92, 94 can be formed separately such as on a sleeve that isadhered to, has a keyed engagement with, or is otherwise rotationallyfixed to the actuation shaft 60′.

With reference to FIGS. 19-25, an operation sequence of the rotationmechanism 70′ to rotate the actuation shaft 60′ from a first orientationto a second orientation is illustrated. FIG. 19 illustrates a schematicview of the hub collar 82 and actuation shaft 50′ in a firstorientation. In the first orientation, a first projection 94 a of thesecond plurality of projections 94 rests in a first recess 90 a of theplurality of recesses 90, and a first projection 92 a of the firstplurality of projections is positioned adjacent a first ramp 86 a of theplurality of ramps 86.

With reference to FIGS. 19-22, an operation sequence of the rotationmechanism 70′ as the slidable switch 80 is advanced distally isillustrated. As the slidable switch 80 is advanced distally with respectto the housing of the handle assembly, the hub collar 82 translatesdistally, bringing the first plurality of projections 92 into slidingengagement with the plurality of ramps 86 of the hub collar 82(illustrated in FIG. 20). Further distal advancement of the slidableswitch 80 and hub collar 82 relative to the housing of the handleassembly advances the first plurality of projections 92 over theplurality of ramps 86 (illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22). An angularprofile of the ramps 86 acts as a camming surface such that travel ofthe first plurality of projections 92 along the plurality of ramps 86rotates the actuation shaft 60′. Once the slidable switch reaches thedistal most end of its travel, the spring 98 biases the hub collar 82and sliding switch 80 proximally with respect to the housing of thehandle assembly 40. As the hub collar 82 returns to a proximal position,the second plurality of projections 94 engages the plurality of recesses90 (illustrated in FIGS. 23-25). As illustrated in FIG. 25, following anactuation cycle of the slidable switch 80, the first projection 94 a ofthe second plurality of projections 94 has been positioned in the secondrecess 90 b of the plurality of recesses such that the actuation shaft60′ has been positioned in a second orientation rotated 120 degrees fromthe first orientation. Subsequent actuation cycles of the slidableswitch 80 rotate the actuation shaft in discrete 120 degree increments.

In other embodiments, the rotation mechanism can comprise a handledirectly connected to the actuation shaft. For example, a proximal endof the actuation shaft can be connected to a handle 70″ (FIG. 1)extending proximally from the housing. Rotation of the handle relativeto the longitudinal axis rotates the actuation shaft to configure thehandle assembly in one of an open/close mode, a forward mode, or areverse mode.

Although this application discloses certain preferred embodiments andexamples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that thepresent inventions extend beyond the specifically disclosed embodimentsto other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention andobvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Further, the variousfeatures of these inventions can be used alone, or in combination withother features of these inventions other than as expressly describedabove. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present inventionsherein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosedembodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fairreading of claims which follow.

1. (canceled)
 2. A handle assembly for a surgical stapler, the handleassembly comprising: a housing; a movable handle pivotably coupled tothe housing and movable from an open position to a closed position; andan actuation mechanism comprising: an actuation shaft having alongitudinal axis, the actuation shaft comprising an advancing surfaceformed thereon and a reversing surface formed thereon angularly offsetfrom the advancing surface, the actuation shaft being longitudinallyslidable relative to the housing and selectively rotatable about thelongitudinal axis between a first orientation and a second orientation;and a driver operably coupled to the movable handle, the driverengageable with the actuation shaft in the first orientation anddisengaged from the actuation shaft in the second orientation.
 3. Thehandle assembly of claim 2, wherein the driver comprises a forwarddriver, and wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a reversedriver engageable with the actuation shaft in the second orientation anddisengaged from the actuation shaft in the first orientation.
 4. Thehandle assembly of claim 3, wherein the forward driver is engageablewith the advancing surface of the actuation shaft and the reverse driveris engageable with the reversing surface of the actuation shaft.
 5. Thehandle assembly of claim 3, wherein the actuation mechanism furthercomprises an opening driver engageable with the actuation shaft with theactuation shaft in the second orientation.
 6. The handle assembly ofclaim 2, further comprising a rotation mechanism engaged with theactuation mechanism to selectively rotate the actuation shaft betweenthe first orientation and the second orientation.
 7. The handle assemblyof claim 6, wherein the rotation mechanism comprises a slider extendingtransversely through the housing.
 8. The handle assembly of claim 7,wherein the slider is coupled to a rotation rack and wherein therotation mechanism further comprises a gear in meshed engagement withthe rotation rack, the gear rotatably fixed to the actuation shaft andlongitudinally slidable along the actuation shaft.
 9. The handleassembly of claim 6, wherein the rotation mechanism comprises a slidingswitch longitudinally slidable with respect to the housing.
 10. A handleassembly for a surgical stapler, the handle assembly comprising: astationary handle; a movable handle pivotably coupled to the stationaryhandle and movable from an open position spaced apart from thestationary handle to a closed position adjacent the stationary handle;and an actuation mechanism comprising: an advancing driver operablycoupled to the movable handle and longitudinally translatable in a firstdirection responsive to movement of the movable handle from the openposition to the closed position; a reversing driver operably coupled tothe movable handle and longitudinally translatable in a second directionopposite the first direction responsive to movement of the movablehandle from the open position to the closed position; an actuation shafthaving a longitudinal axis, the actuation shaft longitudinally slidablerelative to the stationary handle and selectively rotatable about thelongitudinal axis between a first orientation and a second orientation.11. The handle assembly of claim 10, wherein the actuation mechanismfurther comprises an idler operably coupling the movable handle to thereversing driver.
 12. The handle assembly of claim 10, wherein theactuation mechanism further comprises an opening driver operably coupledto the movable handle.
 13. The handle assembly of claim 12, wherein theactuation mechanism further comprises an idler operably coupling themovable handle to the reversing driver and operably coupling the movablehandle to the opening driver.
 14. The handle assembly of claim 13,wherein the idler comprises a slot formed therein and the opening drivercomprises a pin disposed in the slot of the idler.
 15. The handleassembly of claim 12, wherein the actuation shaft comprises an openingrecess formed thereon, the opening recess engageable with the openingdriver with the actuation shaft in the second orientation.
 16. A handleassembly for a surgical stapler, the handle assembly comprising: astationary handle; a movable handle pivotably coupled to the stationaryhandle and movable from an open position spaced apart from thestationary handle to a closed position adjacent the stationary handle;and an actuation mechanism comprising an actuation shaft having alongitudinal axis, the actuation shaft longitudinally slidable along thelongitudinal axis relative to the stationary handle and selectivelyrotatable about the longitudinal axis between a first orientation and asecond orientation, wherein the movable handle is operably coupled tothe actuation mechanism such that with the actuation shaft rotated tothe first orientation, movement of the movable handle from the openposition to the closed position advances the actuation shaftlongitudinally distally, and wherein with the actuation shaft rotated tothe second orientation, movement of the movable handle from the openposition to the closed position retracts the actuation shaftlongitudinally proximally.
 17. The handle assembly of claim 16, whereinthe first orientation of the actuation shaft defines a firing mode ofthe actuation mechanism.
 18. The handle assembly of claim 16, whereinthe second orientation of the actuation shaft defines a reverse mode ofthe actuation mechanism.
 19. The handle assembly of claim 16, whereinthe actuation shaft is longitudinally slidable between a first, proximalposition and a second position distal the first position responsive tomovement of the movable handle with the actuation shaft in the secondorientation.
 20. The handle assembly of claim 19, wherein the actuationshaft is longitudinally slidable distally of the second position towardsa third position distal the second position with the actuation shaft inthe first orientation.
 21. The handle assembly of claim 16, furthercomprising a rotation mechanism coupled to the actuation shaft toselectively rotate the actuation shaft between the first orientation andthe second orientation.